Hostel trip April 13-15

After the Shoreham Centurions had left Henfold, Pete led the hostellers to lunch at Tulleys Farm via Parkgate, Charlwood, Horley and Copthorne in cool, cloudy but dry conditions i.e. good cycling weather. Easter hols meant lots of people at the farm, mostly children, but we were served quite quickly. Our route then was via Turners Hill to West Hoathly (where llamas of various hues serenely watched cyclists in clothes of different hues pass by), also where we paused to admire the chainsaw-carvings below. Shortly after when stopped at a road junction we turned in time to see the smoke and carriages (but not the engine) of a train on the Bluebell line. Heading southish via Horsted Keynes and Fletching we reached Uckfield in good time for tea and cakes at a coffee shop recommended by the local cycle shop. When leaving Ian discovered he had a softish rear tyre but reached Blackboys Youth Hostel with a few top-ups, saving the tube change until later. We were the only hostellers there and Allan the warden had thoughtfully spread us out in all the dorms so nobody had a top bunk. Self-catering only here, so we rode the mile or so to the pub sans panniers, returning in the dark, but our lights picked out the local hedgehog which we carefully avoided, not wishing to sustain multiple punctures.

Brian led on Thursday, retracing our route to Framfield then heading south west on minor roads to Lewes including a stretch alongside roadworks (construction of a cycle track). 11s were taken at the foot of Lewes High Street, then up the hill and north on the A275 before shortly turning west onto the quiet B2116. We now had the South Downs on our left whilst the road undulated gently through Plumpton and Westmeiston to Ditchling. Here we took locals' advice and had lunch at The White Horse Inn. Ignoring the challenge of the Beacon Brian led us south west to Clayton, noting Jack and Jill windmills on the hilltop. A short stretch of the A273 which we left at Pyecombe led to peace and quiet through Poynings and Fulking where with plenty of time in hand we decided to miss Steyning and go directly to Shoreham. We noted (and enjoyed) the not-entirely-welcome little hills the Centurions encountered and soon were enjoying tea and cakes at the Airport. Suitably refreshed we crossed the old toll bridge over the Adur and tackled the looooong drag up to Truleigh Hill Hostel - not so bad given the conditions (the same as Wednesday). We arrived just after opening time, which gave Ian plenty of time to replace his broken rear brake cable before dinner. The hostel was virtually full with two busloads of Irish students who were fairly noisy during the evening but I'm told they were very noisy later on !

I suggested returning via part of the Downs Link but we settled for Pete's alternative flattish route on quiet country lanes. Whichever route had been chosen we were immediately faced with a steepish descent to Upper Beeding using a track which fortunately was dry - we rode/walked/slithered down without mishap. Heading north we passed through the pleasant small town of Steyning, then via Ashurst, Dial Post and Dragon's Green to have well-timed 11s at Sumner Camp Site/lake/angling centre at Barns Green. Particularly noticeable along this stretch were carpets of dark blue bluebells, primroses and hosts of golden...dandelions. We continued through Itchingfield then a short, busy stretch of A264 to Broadbridge Heath where things became much more peaceful en route to The Six Bells at Newdigate via Warnham and Rusper. Most of us then headed for Dorking, having a practice run for the fwc at Root Hill, finally going our separate ways at Leatherhead.

A very pleasant break thanks to good company, well chosen routes and cooperation by the Clerk of the Weather (although a few sunbeams would have been nice).

Terry